Hip-Hop Lives: KRS-One & Marley Marl

Fresh for 2007! A new album from the two pioneers who provided the first beef in Hiphop. The pre 1987 BDP led by KRS-ONE and DJ Scott LaRock laid down what they thought of the Juice Crew in the song "South Bronx." This was a reaction to Marley Marl and MC Shan's "The Bridge" which was bigging up Queens Bridge. BDP then crushed the Marley's Juice Crew with "The Bridge Is Over." The ORIGINAL crew rivalry between BDP and the Juice Crew spawned scores of diss records and hurt feelings for those who rep the Bronx and Queens. It also provided the template for which crews could fuck with each other to take a share of the spot light.

In the mid '80s Rap was a fringe genre and the beefs seemed real. Reputations and careers were at stake. From LL v Kool Moe Dee to East Coast vs West Coast, I can say my purchasing decisions were made based on who was dissing who and who was the REAL MC. Cooler heads generally prevailed and beefs were squashed but the winners usually gained popularity while pioneers like MC Shan and Kool Moe Dee were left behind. Modern beefs don't have this winner take all risk. Nas v Jay Z, Aftermath/Shaddy/G-Unit vs Murder Inc/Ja Rule, oh, who gives a fuck about rap today anyway?

But I digress. The end result was KRS-ONE had proven his dominance. Needless to say, when you go to a KRS-ONE show today people are still loosing their voices while rhyming along to BDP classics from the Criminal Minded album. I should know...

Although the beef has been dead for a long time Hiphop Lives is about reconciliation. To prove a point the Blast Master spits lyrics while QB's finest drops the beats. The BX & Queens together... brings a tear to my eye.

Hurry up and get yours, cuz I got mine. Hip-Hop Lives: KRS-One & Marley Marl